Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as we gather today on this Thursday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time, reflecting on our readings from St. Paul’s Letter to Philemon and the Gospel of Luke, I invite you to consider a vital and transformative aspect of our faith journey: the transition from holiness born out of obligation to holiness realized in freedom.
In our first reading, we witness St. Paul’s heartfelt plea to Philemon regarding Onesimus, a runaway slave who has come to faith through Paul. Paul, though in a position to demand compliance, chooses instead to appeal to Philemon’s heart. This model of authentic relationship urges us to see our interactions within the faith community not as mere obligations but as joyful opportunities for love and service.
Authenticity is a very important theme in the message of our Lord. God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and in truth, in other words, authentically. Our Lord even warned that on the appointed day, He may very well say to some of us, "I don’t know you." God forbid, but our Lord is truth. He doesn’t lie to us. Again, He is the model of authenticity.
Reflecting back on our readings, Paul doesn’t want Philemon to do the right thing simply because he must. He desires that Philemon’s acceptance of Onesimus as a brother—from a position of love, not obligation—be voluntary. Why? Because love transforms relationships. It elevates simple duty into profound joy. St. Paul encourages us to act not out of compulsion but out of the freedom that comes from recognizing each person's inherent dignity as a child of God. Through the lens of faith, we see that holiness isn't about adhering to rules; it's about embracing the essence of love that binds us as a community.
In our Gospel reading, Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom of God is not a distant event to look for in the future but is indeed “among you.” This present reality of the Kingdom calls us to live in freedom, liberated from the burdensome expectations of legalistic faith. The Pharisees sought a tangible manifestation of God’s Kingdom, but Jesus, in His response, invites us to recognize the profound truth that the Kingdom is already within us and amongst us. This revelation compels us to live out our faith, not as a set of obligatory practices, but as a liberating encounter with grace and love.
As we reflect on this theme of transformative love and freedom, we also remember today the martyrs Saint Nicholas Tavelic and his companions, who embodied this very spirit of authentic faith. In the early 14th century, these Franciscan missionaries left their homeland, driven by a fervent desire to share the Gospel with those who did not know Christ. They traveled to the land of the Muslims in the hopes of converting souls, always mindful that their mission was one of love, not obligation.
Their commitment to living out the Gospel led them to face immense challenges, and ultimately, they suffered martyrdom in 1391 for their unwavering faith. They were not killed because they fulfilled a legalistic requirement but rather because they lived out the radical love of Christ—seeking to offer grace to those around them, even in the face of hostility. Their lives remind us that true holiness often comes through self-giving love and the bold proclaiming of truth, even when it costs us dearly.
When we make the transition from holiness as obligation to holiness as freedom, we begin to experience spiritual renewal. We start to serve out of genuine love rather than fear or expectation. We choose to forgive, not because we have to, but because we understand the transformative power of forgiveness.
We begin to welcome the outcast, as Paul urged Philemon to welcome Onesimus—not merely as a slave, but as a beloved brother.
St. Nicholas Tavelic and his companions exhibited this same courage and love. They exemplified how the call to love can lead to a profound commitment to serve others, even at the cost of one's life.
This shift is not always easy; it requires deep-seated conversion. It calls for a daily recognition of the grace God extends towards us, urging us to extend that same grace to others. It challenges us to seek the Spirit's guidance, encouraging us to refresh the hearts of those around us, as Paul commended Philemon for doing.
So, dear friends, as we leave this gathering today, let us carry with us the call to cultivate our faith out of freedom. Let us seek those acts of kindness, those moments of grace, out of genuine love. May we be like St. Paul and the brave martyrs we honor today, who understood that the deepest truth of faith lies in the invitation to love unconditionally amidst the challenges we face.
Let us pray for the grace to embrace the Kingdom of God that is here and now, transforming our lives from obligation into a joyous expression of freedom in Christ.
Amen.
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